Fastening for shoe-laces



(No Model.)

M. J. WARD.

FASTENING FOR SHOE LAGES.

No. 428,434. Patented May 20, 1890.

A TTOHNEY..

- UNITED STATES FFICEG FASTENING FOR SHOE-LACES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 428,434, dated May 20, 1890.

Application filed October 30, 1889. Serial No.328,'704. (N0 model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that- I, MARZY J. WARD, of Sid ney, in the county of Delaware and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Fastenings for Shoe- Laces and other Strings, of which I declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in string-holding devices designed particularly to facilitate the fastening of shoe-laces and other strings that are used a large number of times; and the invention consists of a shoelace or other string fastening constructed and operating substantially as described.

In the accompanying sheet of drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective; Fig. 2, an edge view. Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6 show various applications of the fastening.

Similar referencenumbers indicate like parts in the several views.

As will be observed by an inspection of the drawings, this device can be madein a variety of forms, each specially adapted to a distinct purpose, yet in all cases the holding feature of the device is the same. A piece of wire is bent upon itself, and near the bend 1 thus formed the two portions of the wire are pressed closely together, but become gradually farther apart as the distance from the bend increases. Another bend 2 is also made in the wire, which second bend is similar to the first, though not so short, so that in this case more space is left than in the other between the portions of the wire adjacent to the bend. The section marked 3 of the wire between the bends 1 and 2 is curved substantially in the shape of an are greater than a semi-circumference, and the section l follows closely the outline of the section 3 for a considerable distance from the bend 1; but the section 5 may extend away from the bend 2 in any convenient direction. A part of the section 3 lies in the rear of the bend 2, and serves as a guide for the string, as will be hereinafter explained.

hen the wire has been bentin the manner described, the holding feature of the device is complete, and thereafter the extremities of the wire are given such form as will best adapt the fastening to the purpose for which in any instance it is expressly intended. For example, when a shoe-lace fastening is required the extremities of the wire may be adapted to be passed through the material of the shoe and clinched. placed around parcels or bundles or the tops of bags a more convenient form of the fastening is shown in Fig. 3, in which form a loop is provided, so that the holder may readily be attached to the string by tying this in the loop, and in case the fastening is for a string to be used for confining papers in packages a double holder may be made to fasten both ends of the string, and this can then be passed around the package in directions at right angles to each other, as shown in Fig 4. By securing two of the holders to the ends of a bail and providing this with a handle a Fig. 6, can be constructed.

The fastening receives and holds the free end of the -string in the manner illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3. The string is drawn past the bend 1 and behind the section 3, whereby it is directed into the bend 2 and there retained, and then it is pulled toward the bend 1 until it is tightly jammed between the sections 3 and 4., in which position it is securely held by the fastening. The turn given to the string enters the pinching part of the holder on the opposite side of the section 3, keeps the string always in its proper place, and aids materially toward holding the string fast, particularly when a severe strain is applied to it. The string may be made taut by pulling it around the bend 2 as far as possible before fastening it, as described.

It is obvious that this fastening can readily be adapted to other uses'besides those above specified. For instance, the extremities of the wire may be formed into eyes, whereby the device can be attached to a post to serve as a holder for a clothes-line, or it may be applied to lace gloves and various articles of dress; but in no case will any change of construction be required, excepting in the formation of the extremities of the wire.

Having now described my invention, what For holding strings simple package-carrier, such as appears in by passing it through the bend 2, before it I claim as new, and desire to secure by Let ters Patent, is

A string-fastening made of Wire bent upon itself, as at 1, and in a curve or are, as at 3, and behind the plane of the curved or are shaped section, as at 2, the sections of the Wire near the bend 1 being close together and adapted to hold a string between them, and

the bend 2 being formed to receive the string,-

when it is carried behind the section3and IO allow it to be drawn taut preparatory to its being fastened between the sections 3 and 4, substantially as described.

I MARZY J. WVARD. In presence of H. G. PHELPs, GUY H. CLARK. 

